The chickens do not, but their feed can. Rats eat at night, after hens go to roost, so open feeders and spilled grain draw them in. Store feed in metal bins, bring feeders in at night and clean up spills every day.
Oviedo, Seminole County
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Oviedo, FL
In Oviedo, a lot of rat trouble starts in the yard: spilled chicken feed, bird seed under the feeder, or a backyard that runs into river woods. We find how the rats reach your house, seal those spots with metal, trap the ones inside and come back to make sure they are gone.
Rodent control in Oviedo
A Small City Wrapped in Water and Woods
Oviedo covers about 15 square miles in southeast Seminole County. Lake Jesup sits to the north, the Econlockhatchee River runs along the east side of the city and the Little Econlockhatchee River crosses the south side. That much water and wild land right next to neighborhoods means rats and mice never have far to travel.
Most calls we get here are roof rats (Rattus rattus) in attics and garages. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) show up near coops, sheds, compost and low ground by the water. House mice (Mus musculus) slip into kitchens and pantries, mostly when the weather turns cool.
Our team is EPA and FDACS certified. We do the inspection, show you every entry point with photos and give you the plan and price. Nothing starts until you approve it.
Oviedo at a glance
- County
- Seminole County
- Population
- 40,059 (2020 census)
- ZIP codes
- 32765 and 32766
- Water nearby
- Lake Jesup, Econlockhatchee River, Little Econlockhatchee River
- Wild land nearby
- Little Big Econ State Forest, Black Hammock Wilderness Area
- Main rodent
- Roof rat, then Norway rat and house mouse
- Call
- (561) 562-7607, 24/7
Source: U.S. Census 2020 via Wikipedia, Oviedo, Florida.
Only in Oviedo
The Oviedo Chickens, and What Feed Does at Night
For more than 40 years, free roaming chickens were part of downtown Oviedo. Locals say the flock started in the 1980s, and people fed the birds, which helped the flock grow. Most of them were removed from private properties in recent years, but plenty of Oviedo families still keep hens or feed birds in the backyard.
The problem
Rats eat when chickens sleep
Chickens eat during the day. Rats come out at night. Feed left in an open feeder, scratch grain spilled in the run and bird seed under a feeder become an easy meal after dark. Utah State University Extension puts it plainly: if rodents have a food source, they settle in for the long term. Pet food left on the patio overnight does the same thing.
The fix
A coop routine that starves them out
- Keep feed in metal bins with tight lids. Rats chew wood and plastic.
- Bring feeders and waterers in at night and set them out in the morning.
- Sweep up spilled feed and fallen bird seed every day.
- Use 1/4 inch hardware cloth on the run, not chicken wire, and cover the top, sides and bottom.
- Raise the coop floor and keep the space under it open so rats cannot nest there.
Sources: ClickOrlando (WKMG), “The mysterious disappearance of Oviedo’s chickens,” March 2025. Utah State University Extension, “Is There a Correlation Between Rodents and Backyard Chickens?”
Oviedo is a bird sanctuary
Trapping Rats Without Harming Birds
Oviedo is a designated bird sanctuary. City code bans hunting, killing, injuring, trapping or disturbing birds and their nests inside city limits. That changes how outdoor rat control should be done here, especially with chickens, songbirds and blueberry bushes in so many yards.
| Method | Risk to birds and hens | How we handle it in Oviedo |
|---|---|---|
| Snap traps on fences | A bird can land on an open trap | We put a cover board over traps on fence rails and set outdoor traps for the night, when rats move and birds do not |
| Glue boards outside | High. They catch birds, lizards and pets | We do not use them outdoors |
| Loose bait or bait tied to branches | High. UF/IFAS links this to many pet and wildlife poisonings | Never. Outdoor bait only goes in locked, tamper-resistant stations |
| Bait stations near a coop | Hens peck at anything they can reach | Stations are anchored, locked and placed where chickens cannot get at them, or we skip bait and rely on traps |
| Sealing the house | None | The main tool. Once the gaps are closed with metal, the rats outside cannot get back in |
Sources: Spectrum News 13, “There is nothing fowl about it: Oviedo is a designated bird sanctuary,” October 2021. UF/IFAS Extension, Roof Rats publication UW120.
The wild edge of town
Rivers, Forest and Lake Jesup Next Door
Few cities this close to Orlando have this much protected land on their edges. Woods and wetlands hold rodents all year. When food gets scarce or water rises, some of them move toward the nearest house.
5,048ac
Little Big Econ State Forest
About 3.3 miles east of downtown, with the Econlockhatchee River running through it and the Flagler Trail on the old railroad line.
700ac
Black Hammock Wilderness
Hardwood swamp, sand pine scrub and pine flatwoods along the Lake Jesup side of the Black Hammock area, north of town.
2
Econ rivers
The Econlockhatchee runs along the east side of Oviedo and the Little Econlockhatchee crosses the south side.
150yd
Roof rat range
Roof rats can travel up to 150 yards from the nest for food or water, so a wooded lot behind you is close enough.
Sources: Wikipedia, Little Big Econ State Forest and Black Hammock Wilderness Area. UF/IFAS Extension UW120.
After high water
When the Econ Rises, Rodents Move Up
During Hurricane Ian in 2022, parts of Oviedo flooded near the Econlockhatchee River and Lockwood Boulevard near Riverside Park was closed. Seminole County reported more than 1,000 homes affected and about 1,000,000 cubic yards of storm debris.
Floodwater pushes ground rodents out of burrows along riverbanks and low yards. They look for dry, high places, and a garage, a shed or a gap under a door is often the closest one. Piles of storm debris waiting for pickup give them cover too.
After a big storm, check the garage and attic for new droppings within a couple of weeks, and get storm debris to the curb on the city schedule.
Post-storm checklist
- Look for new gaps where wind lifted soffits, fascia or roof edges
- Check garage door seals and weep holes for chewing
- Do not leave wet cardboard, insulation or fallen fruit lying around
- Keep debris piles away from the house walls
- Call us if you hear scratching in the ceiling at night
Source: ClickOrlando (WKMG), Seminole County leaders respond to flooding damage caused by Ian, September 2022.
Oviedo homes
Old Packing House Town, New Suburbs, College Rentals
Oviedo grew from a citrus and celery town into a suburb after faculty and staff from Florida Technological University, now UCF, began moving here in the 1960s. Each stage left a different kind of building, and rodents get into each one in its own way.
Historic core
Downtown and the old packing district
The Nelson and Company and R.W. Estes Celery Company Precooler historic districts sit near older frame homes. Here we look at crawl spaces, old wood siding, gaps around pipes and patched openings that have opened again.
Suburbs
Subdivisions across 32765 and 32766
Block homes with shingle or tile roofs. Roof rats get in at the roof edges, gable vents, AC line openings and the corners of garage doors, often from oaks or palms touching the roof.
Shared walls
Oviedo on the Park, townhomes and UCF area rentals
In attached homes and apartments, rodents travel through shared attics, walls and utility runs. Sealing one unit helps, but the best result comes when the whole building is checked.
Source: Wikipedia, Oviedo, Florida (history, UCF growth, National Register districts, Oviedo on the Park opened in 2015).
Services available in Oviedo
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Oviedo
Most Oviedo jobs combine a few of these: an inspection, sealing, trapping and cleanup. Choose a service to learn more, or call and we will tell you what your property needs.
Residential Rodent ControlAttic and lanai rat removal for Oviedo homes, from downtown Oviedo to Twin Rivers and Carillon.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for shops and restaurants at Oviedo Mall, Oviedo on the Park and along Alafaya Trail.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats use and checked on return visits until the activity stops.Learn More →
Dead Rodent RemovalBad smell in a wall or ceiling? We find and remove the dead rodent, then clean and deodorize the area.Learn More →
Rodent CleanupRemoval of droppings, urine and nests from attics and garages, with advice on insulation replacement.Learn More →
Rodent ExterminatorEPA and FDACS certified technicians who use traps indoors and follow product labels around kids and pets.Learn More →
Rodent ExclusionWe seal soffits, roof vents, pipe gaps and lanai frames with metal and mortar so rats cannot get back in.Learn More →
Rodent Feces RemovalCareful cleanup of droppings with disinfectant, never sweeping or vacuuming, which can spread germs.Learn More →
Rodent ProofingDoor sweeps, vent screens, tile roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for Oviedo homes.Learn More →
Start to finish
What Each Visit Looks Like
A typical Oviedo house takes about 2 to 3 weeks from first visit to final check. Yards with coops, sheds or woods behind them may need an extra trapping round outside.
- Visit 1
Walk the house and the yard
Roof, attic, garage, crawl space, plus the coop, feed storage, sheds and fence lines. You get photos, a plan and a price.
- Visit 1 to 2
Close the way in
Exclusion with sheet metal, hardware cloth and concrete at every gap a rodent can use. Foam is not used as a fix.
- Weeks 1 to 2
Trap inside, guard outside
Traps along rat paths in the attic and garage. Outside, covered traps at night or locked stations away from birds and hens.
- Week 2 to 3
Clean the mess
Droppings, nests and soiled insulation handled with disinfectant through our rodent cleanup service.
- Final visit
Check for new signs
We look for fresh droppings, rub marks and chewing before the job is closed.
Early clues
What Oviedo Homeowners Notice First
Raccoons, squirrels, opossums and armadillos are common here too. These clues point to rats or mice instead.
Coop
Feed going fast
The feeder empties overnight, and you find small holes dug under the run.
Yard
Hollowed fruit
Citrus with a round hole the size of a quarter and the inside eaten out, most often from September to March.
Attic
Droppings and paths
Dark droppings 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and trails pressed into the insulation.
Walls
Rub marks
Greasy dark smears on beams, pipes and the top of block walls.
City and county rules
Oviedo Rules That Help Keep Rats Away
The City of Oviedo limits grass to 12 inches and other uncultivated growth to 18 inches. Storing junk, trash, boxes or containers out in the open is not allowed. Tall weeds and junk piles are exactly where rats hide, so these rules help the whole street.
To report a problem property, use the city’s online Report a Concern form. Under Florida Senate Bill 60, anonymous complaints are restricted, so you will need to give your information before the city investigates.
Pest control companies in Florida must be licensed by FDACS under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. Ask for the license number.
Trash and pickup contacts
- Hauler
- Waste Pro, under contract with the city
- Missed or bulk pickup
- Waste Pro, 407-774-0800. Construction waste and wood fencing are not taken.
- Public Works
- 407-971-5668
- Hazardous waste
- Free at the Seminole County Central Transfer Station, 1950 SR 419, Longwood, 407-665-2260
- Droppings cleanup
- CDC: do not sweep or vacuum. Spray with disinfectant or 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, wait 5 minutes, wipe up with paper towels.
Sources: City of Oviedo Code Enforcement and Solid Waste pages. CDC, cleaning up after rodents.
Primary Oviedo response zone
Oviedo service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Oviedo has 3 main ZIP codes. We cover the whole city and the surrounding Seminole County area. Call if you do not see yours.
327623276532766
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Downtown Oviedo · Twin Rivers · Kingsbridge · Carillon · Brighton Park · Live Oak Reserve · The Sanctuary · Chapman Groves · Aloma Woods
Oviedo questions
Rodent Control in Oviedo: Your Questions
Chickens, river lots, storms and shared walls come up a lot here. If your question is not below, call us.
Call (561) 562-7607 →Yes. Inside traps are out of reach of birds. Outside we cover traps, set them for the night when birds are not active, skip glue boards and keep any bait in locked stations. Sealing the house does most of the work.
Only if the station is locked, anchored and placed where hens cannot reach it. In many coop yards we use traps instead and focus on cutting off the feed and sealing the run with 1/4 inch hardware cloth.
Rodents will always live in the woods, but they only come inside when they find a gap. Once every opening is sealed with metal and limbs are trimmed back from the roof, the house stops being an easy target.
High water pushes rodents out of low ground, and strong wind can loosen soffits and roof edges. Both happen at the same time. Check the attic and garage for new droppings and call us for an inspection.
Tell your landlord or HOA in writing, since rodents move between units through shared walls and attics. We can seal and trap your unit, but the best results come when the whole building is treated.
Most homes take about 2 to 3 weeks: sealing first, then 1 to 2 weeks of trapping, cleanup and a final check. Homes with coops, sheds or wooded lots may need an extra outdoor round.
Yes. We cover both Oviedo ZIP codes, 32765 and 32766, plus nearby Seminole County areas like Black Hammock, Geneva, Chuluota and Winter Springs. Call (561) 562-7607, 24/7.
Oviedo dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Oviedo Home or Business?
Call now. We will inspect the property, show you where rodents are getting in, and seal it so they stay out.
Request Oviedo service
Give us a call. We’ll handle the next step.
Call us, tell us what you are seeing and where you are located, and our team will confirm the right appointment type and timing.
Serving OviedoOviedo, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
